Mercury

"Quality which lasts" is the motto which has been leading Mercury’s working philosophy since it was founded over 50 years ago. With this simple declaration, Mercury expresses today as once upon a time its commitment for absolute quality without any compromises.

919: Attilio Del Ben, the founder of the cutlery factory which in the future would be named Mercury, was born.

1946: Attilio, who recently came home from the battle fields of the 2nd World War, alternatively to the work in the family farms, started the workmanship production of the “stiletto” flick knife and sporting folding knives, deriving from the ancient experience matured by Maniago’s handcrafts where the work of iron and the construction of armoury and agricultural tools had been developing since the “Venice Republic” domination.

1950: Attilio in co-operation with a partner, enlarges the old laboratory (initially one little room in the family house) specializing his production in one of the most difficult branches: the construction of folding pocket knives and multi-purpose folding knives. Even if a lot of knives were produced for different dealers, the products directly sold by Attilio were marked “Delcima” or “Brillante”.

1960: New wider premises were built and extended in the next few years to make room for the new equipment and machinery which was introduced step by step.

1968: Attilio merges all the business and proceeds with the creation of a new trade mark “D.B.A.F. – Maniago”

1968: Franco (the older son) becomes a partner after gaining profound experience in production and its organization as an employee.

1976: Sergio (the second son) becomes partner after he completes his technical studies.

1978: A new distinguishing emblem was introduced (an “M” inside a shield to symbolize “Maniago” ) which was printed on the handle of the knives.

1984: The necessity to have a trade mark which would give personality to the production, became even more fundamental day by day. For this reason the name Mercury was affiliated to the shield with the “M” inside, to underline the company philosophy: devotion towards the future and innovation. Later on, Mercury would become the company name.

1994: Mercury buys the trade mark “Noxa” together with all the machinery and equipment for the production of the miniature folding pocket knives.

1997: Mercury buys the trade mark “Zodiac” together with all the machinery and equipment for the production of kitchen and professional knives and cheese cutters.

1998: Mercury builds 1200 sqm new premises located in the handcraft & industrial area in Maniago in order to have an adequate space for the new production requirements in the respect of the safety prevention and a better access to road networks.

1999: After some years of research and experimentation Mercury begins – the first company in Italy –production of titanium blades.

2000: Mercury achieves the “Quality Management System Certification ISO 9001/2000” a guarantee to its customers of the persevering control of the production process and services.